North Carolina Science 2011 S t a t e S n a p s h o t R e p o r t
Overall Results
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Achievement-Level Percentages and Average Score Results
In 2011, the average score of eighth-grade students in North
Carolina was 148. This was lower than the average score of 151
for public school students in the nation.
The average score for students in North Carolina in 2011 (148)
was higher than their average score in 2009 (144).
In 2011, the score gap between students in North Carolina at the
75th percentile and students at the 25th percentile was 44 points.
This performance gap was not significantly different from that of
2009 (48 points).
The percentage of students in North Carolina who performed at or
above the NAEP Proficient level was 26 percent in 2011. This
percentage was not significantly different from that in 2009 (24
percent).
The percentage of students in North Carolina who performed at or
above the NAEP Basic level was 61 percent in 2011. This
percentage was greater than that in 2009 (56 percent).
*
Significantly different (p < .05) from state's results in 2011. Significance
tests were performed using unrounded numbers.
NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Compare the Average Score in 2011 to Other States/Jurisdictions
¹
Grade 8 Public Schools
Average Scores for State/Jurisdiction and Nation (public)
Department of Defense Education Activity (overseas and domestic schools).
In 2011, the average score in North Carolina (148) was
 lower than those in 31 states/jurisdictions
 higher than those in 9 states/jurisdictions
 not significantly different from those in 11 states/jurisdictions
*
Results for Student Groups in 2011
Score Gaps for Student Groups
Percentages
Percent of
Avg.
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at or above
Percent at
students score Basic Proficient Advanced
Reporting Groups
Race/Ethnicity
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White
55
160
76
38
2
Black
26
125
Hispanic
11
138
33
7
#
50
15
Asian
3
#
161
79
35
5
American Indian/Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
1
136
51
13
#
#
‡
‡
‡
Two or more races
‡
4
143
59
20
#
Male
51
149
62
30
2
Female
49
147
60
23
1
Eligible
50
136
47
14
#
Not eligible
49
160
76
39
2
Gender
National School Lunch Program
# Rounds to zero.
Significantly different (p < .05) from 2011. Significance tests were
performed using unrounded numbers.
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In 2011, Black students had an average score that was 34
points lower than White students. This performance gap
was not significantly different from that in 2009 (37 points).
In 2011, Hispanic students had an average score that was
22 points lower than White students. This performance gap
was not significantly different from that in 2009 (26 points).
In 2011, male students in North Carolina had an average
score that was not significantly different from female
students.
In 2011, students who were eligible for free/reduced-price
school lunch, an indicator of low family income, had an
average score that was 24 points lower than students who
were not eligible for free/reduced-price school lunch. This
performance gap was not significantly different from that in
2009 (28 points).
‡ Reporting standards not met.
NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding, and because the
"Information not available" category for the National School Lunch Program,
which provides free/reduced-price lunches, is not displayed. Black includes
African American and Hispanic includes Latino. Race categories exclude
Hispanic origin.
NOTE: Statistical comparisons are calculated on the basis of unrounded scale scores or percentages.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2009 and 2011 Science Assessments.